Monthly Archives: January 2013

Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed the Government’s climb-down on the Agri-Environment Options Scheme, but has expressed his disappointment that funding for the new scheme has been significantly cut. There was real concern in the farming community when Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced that he would not re-open AEOS this year. However following months of pressure, the Minister confirmed to Fianna Fáil in the Dáil that AEOS will be open to new applicants this year, but at a significantly reduced rate. Deputy Calleary explained, “It will come as a relief to many smaller farmers across Mayo that Minister Coveney has now agreed to reopen AEOS. It’s an issue that […]

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has expressed serious concern about an escalating crisis at Mayo General Hospital following news of severe cutbacks to frontline services. Deputy Calleary has been informed that the HSE is to close 10 orthopaedic beds and 1 out of 4 of the surgical wards at Mayo General. In addition to this, a further 12 in-patient beds are being downgraded to day beds. All of this is part of the latest round of additional cutbacks sanctioned by the Minister for Health James Reilly. “There is no doubt that these latest cuts will have a serious impact on patients in Mayo and there can be no justification […]

The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has caved to pressure from Fianna Fáil and farming groups and has now agreed to reopen the Agri Environment Options Scheme to new applicants. However, he has announced that the new scheme will only be open to approximately 6,000 applicants and the maximum payment will be reduced to €4,000. Minister Coveney confirmed the details in response to questions from Fianna Fáil’s Agriculture Spokesperson Éamon Ó Cuív in the Dáil yesterday. “Fianna Fáil welcome the fact that Minister Coveney has finally agreed to reopen AEOS, however it is very disappointing that the scheme will be significantly reduced,” said Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary. “There are 13,000 […]

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has expressed his shock at AIB’s decision to shut down 4 bank branches in Co Mayo. The bank announced today that it is closing 67 branches nationwide, including those in Belmullet, Ballyhaunis, Kiltimagh and Charlestown. It comes on the heels of news that Permanent TSB is also closing its branch in Westport. “This will come as a great shock not just to the staff affected, but also to AIB customers across Co Mayo who prefer to visit their local branch rather than banking online,” said Deputy Calleary. “My immediate concern is ensuring that the workers at these four branches are given every support […]

A number of the garda district headquarters in Co Mayo could soon be facing downgrade and cuts to garda numbers, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Dara Calleary. The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has confirmed to the Mayo TD that a targeted review of district headquarters is underway. This is in addition to the review of small rural garda stations, which is also likely to lead to more station closures. “This latest review instigated by Minister Shatter will certainly lead to the downgrading of district headquarter garda stations around the country,” Deputy Calleary explained. “Mayo has 6 district headquarters, based in Ballina, Belmullet, Castlebar, Claremorris, Swinford and Westport. […]

Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Dara Calleary has called on the Government to crack down on loan sharks who target vulnerable people under financial pressure. Deputy Calleary commented, “I listened in anger today to the extremely distressing story of a caller to RTE’s Liveline who fell victim to an unscrupulous loan shark. This woman and others who tell their stories in public are to be commended for their bravery and honesty. “It t is bad enough that so many people feel they have no option but to borrow money from loan sharks, but the situation where these parasites appear to be above the law has to stop. Loan sharks need to […]

The Government is paralysed by the scale of the mortgage crisis and is failing to help families in difficulty in a comprehensive way, according to Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary. The Central Bank has confirmed that 77,630 or 10.2% of all private residential mortgages are now in arrears of more than 90 days. Deputy Calleary said, “The crisis facing families in Mayo and across the country is accelerating every week. The national figures reflect what I have been seeing in my own constituency for a number of months. In the first three months of the year a further 6,685 mortgages fell into arrears of more than 90 days, almost […]